Seven prison personnel may face administrative and criminal charges on complaints that they conducted "humiliating, degrading, and traumatic" strip searches on wives of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
In a statement, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Thursday, May 9, the criminal charges may arise if the seven personnel "went beyond their authority and functions" in enforcing the strip search.
The seven personnel were identified by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) as Corrections Officers 1 Karen Soriano, Kiera Iket, Odesa Etong, Ahmor Darasin, Guada Bello, Melowyne Tallongan, and Angelique Domingo have been relieved of their posts pending investigation.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla has ordered an investigation based on the complaints filed by three women before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). The women, wives of PDLs, told the CHR they were subjected to "humiliating, degrading, and traumatic" strip searches at the NBP last April 21.
Even before Remulla's directive for an investigation, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. ordered that the seven personnel be relieved of their posts.
Catapang said the strip search of PDLs' visitors is being conducted in view of the rising incidents of confiscated illegal drugs hidden in the private parts and underwear.
To do away with strip search, he expressed hopes that BuCor could purchase high technology scanning machines which, he said, are expensive.
Remulla has lauded Catapang for the latter's order of immediatey relieving the seven prison personnel of their posts.
“The lightning swift action of Director General Catapang on urgent matters like these perfectly display his raging resolve as a public servant to enforce what is within the boundaries of our legal system,” he said.